Worker Type
Regular
Job Description
AV is looking for a highly talented Ground-based Midcourse Defense (GMD) Ground Systems Principal Systems Engineer to join our team! In this role, you will work as a technical staff member of the MDA/GMN Systems Engineering (SE) team supporting definition of performance requirements for the GMD Ground System.
Participate in the development, management, and planning for current and future capabilities as it relates to requirements for Ground-based Midcourse Defense (GMD) Ground Support Systems (GSS) missile field silos and interfaces.
Review proposed requirement changes in higher-level specifications for impacts to GSS baseline.
Review peer/counterpart deliverables, drawings, models, and specifications for consistency with GSS baseline.
Coordinate with GMD Warfighter, Ground Based Interceptor, Next Generation Interceptor, and GSS Subject Matter Experts to identify and develop new or modified requirements, and assist in incorporating changes into the GMD System Engineering & Integration flow down of requirements.
Develop inputs to a cost estimate and analyze schedule impacts of new or modified requirements.
Package technical, cost, and schedule impacts to advocate acceptance or rejection of the new or modified requirements.
Coordinate with Missile Defense Agency (MDA) Stakeholders to identify and resolve any issues related to changes in Missile Defense System (MDS) system requirements.
Translate MDS Core Standards, Mission Assurance Plan, Parts, Materials, Processes Procedures, Cybersecurity, and other agency objectives and processes into GSS requirements.
Review GSS contractor's decomposition of requirements into the Prime Item Development Specifications and verification products, which includes coordination of GSS Contractor verification products in combination with government assessment activities.
Required:
Master's Degree in Engineering or a related Science, Technology, Engineering, or Math (STEM) discipline is required.
12+ years of direct experience in complex system of systems or missile defense system engineering is required.
Active Secret clearance (or above) is required.
Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook) and DOORS is required.
Excellent communication, collaboration, and leadership skills are required.
Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced, dynamic environment is required.
Desired:
MDA experience desired.
ITAR Requirement:
This position requires access to information that is subject to compliance with the International Traffic Arms Regulations (“ITAR”) and/or the Export Administration Regulations (“EAR”). In order to comply with the requirements of the ITAR and/or the EAR, applicants will be asked to provide specific documentation to verify U.S. person status under the ITAR and the EAR. A “U.S. person” according to their definition is a U.S. citizen, U.S. lawful permanent resident (green card holder), or protected individual such as a refugee, or asylee. See 22 CFR § 120.15. Some positions will require current U.S. Citizenship due to contract requirements.
Benefits: AV offers an excellent benefits package including medical, dental vision, 401K with company matching, a 9/80 work schedule and a paid holiday shutdown. For more information about our company benefit offerings please visit: http://www.avinc.com/myavbenefits.
We also encourage you to review our company website at http://www.avinc.com to learn more about us.
Principals only need apply. NO agencies please.
Who We Are
Based in California, AeroVironment (AVAV) is a global leader in unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) and tactical missile systems. Founded in 1971 by celebrated physicist and engineer, Dr. Paul MacCready, we’ve been at the leading edge of technical innovation for more than 45 years. Be a part of the team that developed the world’s most widely used military drones and created the first submarine-launched reconnaissance drone, and has seven innovative vehicles that are part of the Smithsonian Institution’s permanent collection in Washington, DC.
Join us today in developing the next generation of small UAS and tactical missile systems that will deliver more actionable intelligence to our customers so they can proceed with certainty – and succeed.
What We Do
Building on a history of technological innovation, AeroVironment designs, develops, produces, and supports an advanced portfolio of unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) and tactical missile systems. Agencies of the U.S. Department of Defense and allied military services use the company’s hand-launched UAS to provide situational awareness to tactical operating units through real-time, airborne reconnaissance, surveillance, and target acquisition.
We are proud to be an EEO/AA Equal Opportunity Employer, including disability/veterans. AeroVironment, Inc. is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) employer and welcomes all qualified applicants. Qualified applicants will receive fair and impartial consideration without regard to race, sex, color, religion, national origin, age, disability, protected veteran status, genetic data, sexual orientation, gender identity or other legally protected status.
ITAR
Skills Required
- Master's Degree in Engineering or related STEM discipline
- 12+ years of direct experience in complex system-of-systems or missile defense system engineering
- Active Secret clearance (or above)
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook) and DOORS
- Excellent communication, collaboration, and leadership skills
- Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced, dynamic environment
- U.S. person status per ITAR (documentation required); some positions may require U.S. citizenship
- Missile Defense Agency (MDA) experience
AeroVironment Compensation & Benefits Highlights
The following summarizes recurring compensation and benefits themes identified from responses generated by popular LLMs to common candidate questions about AeroVironment and has not been reviewed or approved by AeroVironment.
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Healthcare Strength — Benefits include multiple medical plan options with HSA pairing and employer contributions, plus company-paid life and disability coverage. Feedback suggests health coverage quality and breadth are consistently seen as strong.
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Retirement Support — A 401(k) with generous matching and immediate vesting, alongside programs like an ESPP and deferred compensation for eligible employees, signals robust retirement support. Feedback suggests the retirement offering stands out within the total rewards package.
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Leave & Time Off Breadth — Discretionary Time Off for eligible salaried employees, paid sick leave, parental leave supplements, holidays, and a 9/80 schedule provide broad time-off flexibility. Feedback suggests these options enhance work-life balance when team norms support their use.
AeroVironment Insights
What We Do
At AV, we build shoulder-to-shoulder with our customers, delivering systems shaped by real-world missions, not theoretical requirements. Now stronger than ever, we deliver integrated capabilities across every domain of modern warfare—from autonomous systems and loitering munitions to space-based platforms, directed energy, cyber and electronic warfare. We build to win today’s battles and shape tomorrow’s conflicts.
